CHEST PAIN

• Heart-related causes:
  • Heart attack – blockage of blood flow to the heart.
  • Angina – pain due to blockages in the blood vessels leading to the heart.
  • Pericarditis – inflammation of the sac around the heart.
  • Myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle.
  • Cardiomyopathy – disease of the heart muscle.
  • Aortic dissection – a rare condition involving a tear of the aorta, the large vessel that comes off of the heart.
• Gastrointestinal causes:
  • Acid reflux, or heartburn
  • Swallowing problems related to disorders of the esophagus
  • Gallstones
  • Inflammation of the gallbladder or pancreas
• Lung-related causes:
  • Pneumonia
  • Viral bronchitis
  • Pneumothorax
  • A blood clot, or pulmonary embolus
  • Bronchospasm
• Muscle- or bone-related causes:
  • Bruised or broken ribs
  • Sore muscles from exertion or chronic pain syndromes
  • Compression fractures causing pressure on a nerve
• Other symptoms:
  • Heart-related symptoms
    • Chest pressure or tightness
    • Back, jaw, or arm pain
    • Fatigue
    • Lightheadedness
    • Dizziness
    • Shortness of breath
    • Abdominal pain
    • Nausea
    • Pain during exertion
  • Non-heart related symptoms:
    • A sour or acidic taste in your mouth
    • Pain that only occurs after you swallow or eat
    • Difficulty swallowing
    • Pain that’s better or worse depending on your body position
    • Pain that’s worse when you breathe deeply or cough
    • Pain accompanied by a rash
    • Fever
    • Aches
    • Chills
    • A runny nose
    • Cough
    • Feelings of panic or anxiety
    • Hyperventilating
    • Back pain that radiates to the front of your chest

DIAGNOSIS

• Physician may do/request:
  • History & Physical Exam
• Other additional tests such as:
  • An electrocardiogram – records the heart’s electrical activity
  • Blood tests – measure enzyme levels
  • Chest X-ray
  • Echocardiogram
  • MRI
  • Stress tests
  • Angiogram

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS

• Treatments for heart-related causes of chest pain include:
  • Medications, including nitroglycerin and other medications that open partially closed arteries, clot-busting drugs, or blood thinners.
  • Cardiac catheterization, which involves using balloons or stents to open blocked arteries.
  • Surgical repair of the arteries, which is also known as coronary artery bypass grafting or bypass surgery.
• Treatments for other causes of chest pain include:
  • Lung re-inflation for a collapsed lung, which your doctor will perform by inserting a chest tube or related device.
  • Antacids or certain procedures for acid reflux and heartburn.
  • Anti-anxiety medications for chest pain related to panic attacks.